Can Cats Get Braxton Hicks Contractions?

Do cats get Braxton Hicks contractions?

It has been reported that cats can have Braxton Hicks contractions in the week or two leading up to their due dates.

However, this has not actually been proved, although many cat owners do claim to have witnessed Braxton Hicks in cats who are mums-to-be.

These are nothing to worry about, and they should not cause too much discomfort or stress to your cat.

All cats do not experience Braxton Hicks, anyway, but if you notice this in your pregnant cat, then she will most likely go into labor soon (usually within the next week).

• What are Braxton Hicks?

Braxton Hicks contractions is the name given to false contractions that lead to a false sense of being labor. They are common in humans and can also happen in cats and other animals.

Braxton Hicks feel very much like real contractions and - in humans - often result in a quick dash to the hospital, only for the patient to be sent home again.

Braxton Hicks are thought to be the body's way of getting prepared to give birth, so there is no reason why cats should not have these as well as humans.

• What should you do?

There is nothing much that you can do, really. If your cat is experiencing Braxton Hicks, then these shouldn't cause your pet any great stress or discomfort. However, if your cat seems to be in any pain, give your vet a ring, and they will talk you through the symptoms and double-check that there is nothing obvious going wrong with the pregnancy, and that birth is not imminent birth.

When the due date is getting close, make sure you have a soft warm place for the cat to go to, where she can have her kittens in peace. Most people tend to use a cardboard box filled with soft coverings.

Show your cat where this is at least a week before she is due, and allow her to get used to it. She may even dig about in it to make it snug.